Curious Leadership with Dominic Monkhouse

Maria Ross, a keynote speaker and founder of Red Slice, champions empathy as a strategic advantage in leadership. She discusses how to cultivate empathy while maintaining performance, emphasizing a five-pillar framework: self-awareness, self-care, clarity, decisiveness, and joy. Maria debunks misconceptions around empathy, asserting it fosters effective workplace relationships and culture. They also explore the balance between decisiveness and compassion in decision-making, and the importance of joy in leading high-performing teams, especially in today's evolving workplace.

Kaihan Krippendorff is a world-renowned business strategist, innovation authority, and CEO of Outthinker Networks - a powerhouse of chief strategy and innovation leaders shaping the future of business. A former McKinsey consultant, he’s heralded as one of the top 30 global thinkers in strategy and innovation by Global Gurus and Thinkers50, with a proven track record of helping organisations generate over $3 billion in transformative growth.The bestselling author of six books, including Outthink the Competition and Driving Innovation from Within, Kaihan’s latest work, Proximity, is a Next Big Idea Club must-read endorsed by thought leaders like Adam Grant and Malcolm Gladwell. He’s a go-to voice for innovation and strategy, regularly writing for Harvard Business Review and Fast Company and hosting podcasts like Outthinkers and The Chief Strategy Officer.Kaihan has partnered with global giants like Microsoft, IBM, Procter & Gamble, and JP Morgan, while teaching at top institutions like Wharton Executive Ed and NYU. A sought-after speaker and media contributor, he inspires audiences worldwide, blending his global perspective and multicultural insights from his base in Miami, Florida.In this episode, Dominic explores the intricacies of strategic thinking and the critical distinction between strategic planning and true strategy. With Kaihan highlighting the growing importance of proximity in value creation, focusing on how businesses can innovate closer to the moment demand arises. They also examine the shifts in various industries including the evolution of defence technology, the disruptive impact of 3D printing on manufacturing, the need to rethink inventory and production processes, and how AI is reshaping information delivery.DiscoverProximity as a Strategic Advantage: How businesses can achieve competitive advantages by creating value closer to the time and location where demand appears. Examples include Coca-Cola's Freestyle machines and advances in 3D printing for customisable solutions.Strategic Insights from Ancient Principles: The 36 strategic patterns derived from ancient Chinese fables, such as “Seize the Deer in the Headlights Moment” and “Embrace What’s Been Abandoned,” which empower businesses to outthink competitors and exploit overlooked opportunitiesShifting from Planning to Creation: Traditional strategic planning processes and shifts in focus toward narrative-driven strategy, emphasising the power of constraints in sparking innovative ideas.Sustainable Innovation in Multiple Industries: How proximity can lead to both environmental and business advantages. Real-world examples of sustainability-driven innovations include hydroponic farming and lab-grown meat, to eliminating waste in production and inventory management. Book recommendations:Bruce Greenwald - Competition DemystifiedMarcus Collins - For The CultureDr. Sandra Matz - MindmastersKaihan’s books Proximity and The Art of the Advantage are out nowDominic’s book

James Kerr is a writer, coach, and consultant who specialises in leadership, culture and mindset in high-performing teams. His global bestseller, 'Legacy' has been described by The Daily Telegraph as “the modern version of Vince Lombardi’s guides to coaching”, saying that "for those searching for genuine keys to team culture, it is manna from heaven".James has worked with Tier One Special Forces, the English Premier League, international cricket, Formula One, America’s Cup, Major League Baseball, and Olympic pathways. He has guest lectured at Westpoint Military Academy, Sandhurst and Eton College and written for the BBC, Independent, Times and Guardian. His corporate clients have included Google, Spotify, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey & Co, Adidas, and Arc'teryx.In this frank discussion, Dominic explores the synergy between individual leadership and collective vision, and the critical role of cultural evolution in maintaining relevance and potency. James shares how the iconic “Sweeping the Shed” mantra, revolutionised team culture at the All Blacks, and how these principles can be applied beyond the rugby field into business and everyday life.DiscoverThe Role of Values in Sustainable Success: By embracing values such as humility, responsibility, and respect, the All Blacks created a foundation for long-term success, demonstrating that values-driven cultures outperform talent-driven ones.The Power of Rituals and Symbols: The enduring significance of the Haka demonstrates how rituals and symbols can reinforce identity, unity, and purpose within a team.Leadership Across Domains: The principles of leadership and cultural excellence are universal and can be applied across diverse fields, demonstrated by James’ work in sports, military, and business. Neuroscience and Leadership: The interplay between neuroscience and performance underpins how understanding the brain's responses to fear and confidence can inspire leaders to strike a balance between challenges and support, fostering growth and accountability.Book recommendations:Viktor Frankl - Man's Search For MeaningDaniel Kahneman - Thinking, Fast and SlowDaniel Coyle - The Culture CodeJim Collins - Good To GreatJames' book Legacy is out now. Dominic’s book Mind Your F**king Business is out now. 

In this conversation, Ben Hunt-Davis shares insight into what drives and empowers an Olympic gold-winning team. A Former Olympic rower turned successful entrepreneur, Ben is the author of the acclaimed book Will It Make the Boat Go Faster?Tune in for invaluable insights from Ben’s illustrious rowing career, recounting the journey from consistently finishing at the bottom to clinching Olympic gold. Discover the transformative power of team alignment and purpose, the crucial role of feedback and trust, and the non-negotiable importance of shared goals—whether in sports or business.This episode delves into the details of team dynamics, the impact of clear communication, and the courage to embrace discomfort for the sake of improvement. Tune in, and let’s make your business unstoppable!TakeawaysFinding team alignment and purpose.Fostering a culture that values collective success over individual glory.The pivotal role of clear goals and regular feedback in driving continual improvement.Everyone brings different strengths and life situations to the table. Leveraging those differences to optimise performance.Embracing open, honest feedback as a tool for growth, even when it’s uncomfortable.Timestamps(00:00) Title with Ben Hunt-Davis.(01:05) Coining A Phrase.(03:10) Uni Drop Out To Full-Time Athlete.(08:01) How Clear Expectations Lead To Gold.(11:27) Helping A Team Get Clarity and Purpose.(13:52) Team Dynamics.(17:44) Constructive Conflict.(19:09) Improving Focus and Learning.(22:34) Helping Others Improve With Uncomfortable Truths.(25:19) Difficult Real-Life Scenarios.(27:02) Quick Fire Questions.(32:58) People a bit better inspire relatable progress.(33:54) Dad advises but feels unqualified for career guidance.About Ben Hunt-DavisBen is an experienced performance coach, facilitator and world-class keynote speaker. Ben has spent the last 20+ years specialising in translating his Olympic-winning strategies into everyday business success.Specifically focusing on leadership and team development, Ben has designed and run training courses, conferences and events for more than 100 different organisations.Ben and executive coach Harriet Beveridge published the best-selling book Will It Make The Boat Go Faster? in 2011. Their real-world application of Ben’s rowing crew’s strategies, habits, and mindset is world-renowned. The performance principles underpinning their story still shape the philosophy of our business today. Ben is an expert in galvanising executive teams and organisations behind a shared ‘Crazy Goal’.Ben consistently leads and inspires teams to deliver exceptional results. He is a three-time Team GB staff member at the Summer Olympics and chair of organising committees for two international rowing events in the UK.Follow Ben Hunt-DavisWebsite: https://willitmaketheboatgofaster.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benhuntdavis?originalSubdomain=uk X: https://x.com/olympianben Books by Ben Hunt-DavisWill It Make The Boat Go Faster Book RecommendationsJames Holland books - https://griffonmerlin.com/ Mentioned in this episode:Get Mind Your...

In this conversation, Chris Fenning – communications expert, coach and author – deep dives into transforming workplace communication. Tired of inefficient meetings? Chris suggests empowering all participants to take charge, seeking clarity on agendas, and addressing distractions head-on to boost engagement.Chris offers his unique perspective on communication, including his methods for delivering impactful updates and simplifying complex topics. From his advice on honing email effectiveness to his insights on intertwining leadership skills with everyday exchanges, Chris offers valuable tools for ensuring your message is heard loud and clear.Listen and get practical tips on breaking down the barriers to effective communication in the workplace and how to leverage AI's potential. Chris shares book recommendations and a fresh outlook that will leave you inspired. Whether you're an intern or an executive, this episode promises actionable strategies to revolutionise how you connect and convey your ideas. So, let's jump in and learn how to mind your f**king business more efficiently!TakeawaysClarity is key for clear communication.Shared responsibility for effective and efficient meetings.How to handle distractions and bring conversations back politely.Positive problem solving to demonstrate competence.Top tips for effective email communication.Goal, Problem, Solution Communication Model.Public Speaking vs. Communication Fundamentals.Timestamps(00:00) Be More Effective in Communication with Chris Fenning.(00:17) Early Life Crisis Leading To Comms.(04:36) Learning How To Teach.(06:48) Clear, Concise, and To-The-Point Methodologies.(09:20) Asking The How.(11:40) Goal, Problem, Solution.(14:08) Safety in Mediocracy.(18:16) Psychological Safety in Leadership.(19:09) Delivering Bad News.(21:05) Effective Emails and AI.(26:55) Clear Communication in Questions.(29:32) When Should Comms. Be Taught?(32:42) Teaching Across Levels.(34:41) How To Do Meetings Differently.(39:35) Quick Fire Questions with Chris Fenning.(41:40) Book Recommendations.About Chris FenningChris Fenning helps us master our communication at work. He helps experts talk to non-experts, teams talk to executives, and much more. Chris's practical methods are used in organisations like Google and NATO, and have appeared in the Harvard Business Review. He is also the author of multiple award-winning books on communication and training that have been translated into 16 languages. Find out how Chris can help you at www.chrisfenning.com Follow Chris FenningWebsite: https://chrisfenning.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmIXD8AIH-LUV-B1V5KJ4Ww Books by Chris FenningThe First Minute: https://chrisfenning.com/books/#the-first-minute Effective Emails: https://chrisfenning.com/books/#effective-emails 39 Ways to Make Training Stick:

Today we are re-sharing one of our most controversial episodes so far, with the man who's been called the UK's Most Hated Sales Trainer, Benjamin Dennehy. Benjamin joins Dominic as they discuss the art of selling and the common misconceptions about sales. This is truly a sixty-minute conversation that will change how you look at sales!Benjamin explores the importance of self-confidence, being in control, and understanding the motivations behind prospects' questions. He emphasises the need for salespeople to focus on having meaningful conversations and helping prospects discover their needs rather than pushing products or services. He also highlights the importance of hiring and training salespeople effectively and challenges the traditional sales approach of show up, throw up, and hope for the best. In this conversation, the UK's Most Hated Sales Trainer shares his unconventional approach to sales and prospecting. He emphasises the importance of getting prospects emotional and focuses on the purpose of a prospecting call. He also discusses the need for consultative selling and the importance of asking probing questions. The conversation covers topics such as the future of cold calling, the myth of 'people buy people,' and the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship.TakeawaysSales is the art of conversation and enabling prospects to discover their needs.Good salespeople are self-confident and in control, while poor salespeople often beg and plead.Salespeople should focus on understanding the motivations behind prospects’ questions and avoid making assumptions.Hiring and training salespeople effectively is crucial for success in sales.The traditional approach of show up, throw up, and hope for the best is ineffective. The purpose of a prospecting call is to get the prospect emotional.Consultative selling requires asking probing questions and understanding the prospect’s pain points.Cold calling will become more challenging with the rise of AI, but there will still be a need for skilled salespeople.The myth that ‘people buy people’ is not entirely true; people buy people who are like them.Entrepreneurship requires taking risks and being willing to fail.Success in sales is about mastering a methodology and continuously improving.Salespeople should focus on critical thinking, communication, and emotional control.It’s important to know when to quit and when to persevere in business.Timestamps(04:00) Book Recommendations and the Misconception of Sales Books(07:19) Why the UK's Most Hated Sales Trainer is Hated(09:08) The Problem with Traditional Sales Approaches(23:19) The Art of Asking and Answering Questions in Sales(28:44) Creating Comfort and Lowering Walls in Sales Conversations(31:25) Getting Prospects Emotional: The Purpose of a Prospecting Call(33:44) Consultative Selling: Asking Probing Questions and Understanding Pain Points(35:42) The Future of Cold Calling and the Rise of AI(39:03) The Myth of 'People Buy People'(45:49) The Risks and Rewards of Entrepreneurship(50:40) Mastering a Methodology: Continuous Improvement in Sales(51:33) Critical Thinking, Communication, and Emotional Control in Sales(59:51) Knowing When to Quit and When to Persevere in BusinessAbout Benjamin DennehyHe’s been called the UK’s most hated sales trainer and the GOAT of cold-calling; Benjamin Dennehy is an engaging and entertaining trainer and speaker. He will shake up your thinking about your role and function in sales with humour, insight and psychology.Benjamin is The UK’s Most Hated Sales Trainer, but why?Marketing of course. He made it up. There is no international body that measures hostility towards sales...

In this special episode, we hear from Dominic and other industry experts (Michelle Hulse, Director of Revenue Operations at PAX8, Paweł Nicał, a pioneering RevOps expert from Poland) from the UPGRADE'24 conference. Revenue Opertions is at the heart of this panel discussion. Listen in to how aligning sales, marketing, and finance creates a seamless customer journey. Michelle shares examples from PAX8 and how they revolutionised their lead handling with data-driven strategies. Dominic provides a walk through of the strategic implementation of OKRs and how RevOps can drive sustainable growth without the need for constant funding. Paweł discusses the critical metrics for RevOps success and the role technology plays in this unified approach.Real-world examples are shared of optimising sales performance, leveraging AI for operational efficiency, and the philosophical underpinnings that make RevOps a game-changer across industries—from SaaS to any business with a recurring revenue model. Whether RevOps is a buzzword or the future of strategic alignment, this discussion reveals its undeniable impact on business agility and growth.TakeawaysCollaboration is Key: Revenue Operations joins the dots between Marketing, Sales, and Customer Experience providing a seamless workflow instead of silos.Strategic Growth through OKRs: Objectives and Key Results are significant for structuring tasks and teams.Tech and Innovation in RevOps: pioneering technology tool 'Clay,' which integrates various data sources and automates processes, enabling "all bound" operations.AI can automate data collection, but humans will always lead creative strategic decisions.Timestamps(03:35) Panel Introductions from Karol Popa: UPGRADE’24(05:31) What is Revenue Operations?(08:51) Is RevOps A New Way Forward or Just A Buzzword?(13:53) When To Bring RevOps Into Business.(18:03) Example of RevOps Teams in Pax8.(22:13) Silo Focus Needs To Align.(23:37) Steps To Start With RevOps In Your Business.(26:33) Different Functions In A RevOps Team.(29:00) Strategic Growth Opportunities.(34:21) Aligning Teams With Data.(38:03) Real Impact and KPIs.(44:19) Segmentation of Ideal Partner Profile.(49:16) Technologies For Effective RevOps.(55:37) AI in Revenue Operations.(58:22) Boldest Experiments Within RevOps.(01:03:39) Use RevOps To Drive Innovation & Strategic Change.About UPGRADE'24The UPGRADE'24 conference took place on 21-22 November 2024 in Wrocław, Poland. Organised by ITCorner, the event focused on the technology sector and catered to business owners and C-level executives in the IT industry.The conference addressed strategies for adapting to market changes, methods to enhance business growth and profitability, and opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange with industry leaders. Attendees participated in talks, workshops, and panels designed to help businesses stay competitive during rapid technological transformations.For more information about UPGRADE'24, please visit www.letsupgrade.pl or search for #UPGRADE'24 on social media platform.Follow UPGRADE'24Website: https://letsupgrade.pl About Dominic MonkhouseFounder of Monkhouse & Company, Elite Business Coach and CEO Mentor, author of two smash hit books 'Mind Your F**king Business' and 'F**k Plan B’ and Host of the Top 2% Global Podcast 'Mind Your F**king Business’; Dominic Monkhouse is on a mission to demystify business growth. As a Founder and CEO, he has a track record scaling up award-winning technology service businesses and has been called ‘Britain’s best boss’ for his habit of...

In this conversation, Kevin Dutton explores the fascinating world of cognitive flexibility and how adaptability in decision-making can pave the way to success in business. Known for his groundbreaking work on psychopathy, Dr Kevin Dutton is a British psychologist now working down at the University of Adelaide in Australia. He's the author of a number of books including, Flipnosis: The Art of Split Second Persuasion, Wisdom of Psychopaths, and A Good Psycho's Guide to Success (co-authored with Andy McNabb).Kevin shares his unique perspective on psychopathic traits, likening them to a mixing desk of personality settings. We'll delve into his thoughts on "precision-engineered psychopathy," the benefits of certain psychopathic traits in professions, and the crucial distinction between "good" and "bad" psychopaths. From humorous anecdotes to profound insights, this episode is packed with thought-provoking discussions. Whether you're curious about how low empathy scores impact leadership or how Kevin's fearless nature led him to the brink of risk-taking, this conversation promises to enlighten and entertain.TakeawaysCognitive flexibility is crucial and the importance of adapting decision-making strategies.Precision-engineered Psychopathy can be advantageous in specific professions, from surgeons to CEOs.Decoupling emotion from behaviour in difficult conversationsUnpack the distinctions between harmful and beneficial psychopathic traits.Empathy types and their impact.Psychopath Quiz: Test where you fall on the psychopathy spectrum with Kevin’s personality test!Timestamps (00:00) Being a Good Psychopath with Kevin Dutton.(04:17) Public understanding of psychology.(05:19) Why study psychopaths?(08:03) Kevin’s upbringing and journey.(13:08) Defining “psychopath”: traits and stereotypes.(18:12) Hot empathy and cold empathy.(20:40) Quiz: Are You A Psychopath?(26:21) Measuring psychopathic personality.(28:07) Training traits and emotion regulation.(33:42) Tips for making difficult conversations in business.(37:49) Quick Fire Questions.(45:41) Book Recommendations.About Kevin DuttonProfessor Kevin Dutton, PhD, FBPsS, is one of the world’s foremost authorities on psychopaths. Having spent the last twenty years at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, he was appointed in 2022 as Australia’s first Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Adelaide. He is a Fellow of the British Psychological Society.Kevin is the author of the acclaimed bestsellers Flipnosis: The Art of Split-Second Persuasion, The Wisdom of Psychopaths: Lessons in Life from Saints, Spies and Serial Killers, The Good Psychopath’s Guide to Success (with Andy McNab), and Black and White Thinking: The Burden of a Binary Brain in a Complex World. The Wisdom of Psychopaths saw him awarded a ‘Best American Science and Nature Writing prize, and Black and White Thinking was nominated by the Big Ideas Club as one of the must-read non-fiction titles of 2021.Kevin’s work has been translated worldwide into over twenty-five languages, and his writing and research have been featured in Scientific American, New Scientist, the Guardian, the Times, Psychology Today, the New York Times, the Wall St Journal, the Washington Post, Newsweek, Slate, USA Today among other publications. He regularly publishes in leading international scientific journals and speaks at conferences around the world.Alongside his academic commitments, Kevin also consults in the elite sport, business, and military sectors and often appears on radio, TV, and podcasts. He also co-hosts the podcast Psycho Schizo Espresso with Iron Maiden front man, Bruce Dickinson.Find out more about Kevin and his...

SummaryIn this conversation, Matt Phelan, the co-founder of the Happiness Index and author of "The Business Case for Happiness" and "The Happiness Index, " shares valuable insight into measuring emotions in the workplace. Matt challenges the old business adage, "If you can measure it, you can manage it," emphasising that understanding and supporting employee happiness leads to better performance.Listen to this entrepreneur’s story, which led to pioneering the integration of happiness metrics in workplace culture. Highlighting Richard Branson's belief that employees come first, Matt introduces his data-driven approach to fostering workplace happiness and its significant impact on business outcomes.The episode explores the complex relationship between measuring and managing happiness and the importance of emotional well-being in the workplace. Matt also offers book recommendations and practical advice for enhancing happiness at work, making this a must-listen for any leader eager to disrupt the norm and prioritise employee satisfaction.TakeawaysMythbusting the business concept, “If you can measure it, you can manage it.”Understanding the correlation between happiness and productivity.Professor Jeremy Dawson’s fascinating NHS hospital research.Breaking down the Employee Net Promotor Score questions.Debating in the office or work-from-home models.Pixar’s global emotions framework.Chapters(00:11) From digital agency to workplace happiness with Matt Phelan.(03:48) The Happiness Index V1(05:54) Measure it and understand it better.(07:52) Changing the value prop.(09:23) Defining happiness as an understandable business metric.(13:26) Employee Net Promoter Score questions.(17:23) TED Talk - Super Chickens.(20:22) Solving different problems from client to client.(24:31) Are happier employees more productive?(27:01) Happy Hospitals vs. Unhappy Hospitals.(28:53) In The Office or Work From Home?(31:40) Building Relationships.(34:08) Quick Fire Questions with Matt Phelan.(39:18) Book recommendations.About Matt PhelanMatt Phelan is the co-founder of the Happiness Index, an organisation that aims to understand what makes people happy at work and how that relates to their work performance. He is a self-confessed proud geek and a supporter of decent people.Matt’s career started when he founded a digital marketing agency called 4Ps Marketing when he was 25 years old. After driving this agency to immense success, Matt and his partners sold the company and opted to double down their investment to go again.The Happiness Index is a SAAS platform that helps organisations measure their key employee engagement and happiness drivers. Follow Matt PhelanWebsite: https://mattphelan.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewphelan/ X: https://twitter.com/MatthewPhelan Happiness and Humans Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7h6wCWnjsgOIZSR6h0DKbq Book RecommendationsFreedom To Be Happy: The Business Case For Happiness by Matt PhelanThe Happiness Index by Matt Phelan

SummaryFarley Thomas, the co-founder and CEO of Manageable joins today’s conversation and shares his revolutionary insights on empowering organisations through highly skilled management. Farley highlights the incredible impact of upskilled, confident, and competent managers on organisational success, and why traditional training methods often fall short, diving into the practical approaches his company adopts and drawing fascinating parallels between language learning and workplace skills training. Farley also unpacks the critical importance of practice and real-world application in management training, supported by eye-opening examples and personal experiences. From the harmful effects of untrained management on employee well-being to innovative solutions like the Leadership Capacity Profile, this episode is packed with actionable insights that challenge conventional leadership development, advocating for early-career focus and continuous learning that can transform the future of work.TakeawaysThe concept of Empowerment and the importance of skilled management.Ineffectiveness of traditional training and the importance of practice over theoretical knowledge.The Impact of poor management on employees and Manageable’s approach on managers training.Differences between Managers and Leaders.Evaluating leadership capacity- a hypothetical scenario for discovering leadership potential among contributors.Skill development and behavioural change through practice.Redefining leadership and management roles- ​​reallocating training resources towards early career managers.Timestamps(02:15)  Introducing Farley Thomas - the Concept of Empowerment and effective management in organisations.(14:01) Traditional Training vs. Practical Application.(18:01) The five principles of Manageable’s effective training programs- the importance of data-driven efforts, bite-sized training, social learning, live sessions, and role models.(24:00) The impact of Poor Management on Employee Well-Being.(28:00)  Effective Leadership and Management Practices (Manager vs. Leader).(34:01) Continuous learning and resource allocation for early career Managers.(45:00) Thomas’ personal reflections and business advice (critique of work practices).(54:02) Book Recommendations(57:00) Final Thoughts and future vision.About Farley ThomasFarley Thomas is the co-founder and CEO of Manageable, the leadership-skills-focused EdTech firm on a mission to give everyone the gift of a great manager. Prior to founding Manageable in 2020, Farley established a highly successful executive coaching and leadership advisory practice in 2014. He has been advising and coaching CEOs and their teams across diverse industry sectors ever since. The core of his previous corporate experience was gained at HSBC, where he was CRO at HSBC Asset Management for over a decade, ultimately setting up and leading teams in over 30 countries worldwide. He has consistently been trusted to develop new initiatives, products and markets.Follow Farley ThomasWebsite: https://www.manageable.worksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farleythomas/Manageable Conversations Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/manageable-conversations/id1586790766Book recommendations